Man pushed shop assistant to take tobacco

A 23-year-old man who pushed past a shop attendant to steal tobacco was sentenced to home detention this week. Ngamataora Tai Mana Hira Makitae, unemployed, appeared in the Invercargill District Court before Judge Kevin Phillips yesterday for sentence for robbing a person of several pouches of tobacco on March 10. He was sentenced to seven months' home detention and ordered to pay $346.30 reparation. Judge Phillips said Makitae and a group of friends went in and out of the Tay St Night 'n Day store asking to buy tobacco just before 1am on March 10. Makitae went in and asked for three packets of tobacco but left when a member of the public came into the shop. He waited outside and came back in and moved behind the counter, where there was a confrontation between him and the 56-year-old female shop assistant, Judge Phillips said. Makitae pushed past her, took nine pouches of tobacco and fled, he said. The shop assistant contacted police and when spoken to Makitae said he was not the mastermind behind the robbery. Crown lawyer Riki Donnelly accepted the level of violence was at the lower end of the scale. Assault Shane Antony Manuel, 21, farmer, was remanded on bail to August 27 for sentence for assaulting a female and breaching a protection order on July 1. An 18-year-old man, who has interim name suppression, was remanded on bail to August 7 for sentence for assaulting a female on March 23. Assaults child A man, who has interim name suppression, was remanded on bail to August 6 for sentence for assaulting a child and behaving in a threatening manner on July 1. The court was told the man pushed a child in the ribs causing bruising. the man told police he had "just lost it." Breach Eugene Nicholas Wikitera was remanded on bail to August 28 for compliance for breaching community work on June 8. Michael George Mulligan, 27, was sentenced to 60 hours' community work for breaching community work on June 20. Driving Jessie Whatuira was sentenced to 50 hours' community work for driving while suspended. Judge Phillips found special reasons not to disqualify Whatuira from driving. Angelina Simeon Heita, 19, was remanded on bail to August 13 for sentence for driving while disqualified and with a breath alcohol level of 350mcg (under 20) on July 18. Karl James Schutt, 25, mill hand, of Riverton, was sentenced to four months' community detention, 100 hours' community work and disqualified for one year and one month for driving while disqualified at Riverton on June 5.

Perv who broke into NYC jail abused one inmate, gave cigarettes to others: cops

Alleged brazen jail-obsessed fiend Matthew Matagrano used a gold shield to get into the Manhattan Detention Center, schmooze with prisoners and attack an inmate — pinning him against a pillar, grabbing his testicles and threatening him, according to a criminal complaint. Matthew Matagarno used a fake badge to get into the Manhattan Detention Center, NYPD cops say, where he allegedly abused one inmate and told him, 'Don’t f--- with me. I will hurt you,' according to court records. The deranged perv who allegedly flashed a phony badge to glide past security at a New York City jail is facing a new rap for groping and strip-searching an inmate in the same visit, the Daily News has learned. Brazen jail-obsessed fiend Matthew Matagrano was already facing charges for using a gold shield to get into the Manhattan Detention Center on Feb. 27, spending 7 1/2 hours in the lockup schmoozing with inmates and doling out cigarettes. But now investigators say he also attacked an inmate on the same joyride — pinning him against a pillar, grabbing his testicles and threatening him, according to a new criminal complaint. “Don’t f--- with me. I will hurt you,” Matagrano, 37, told the victim, court records said. The 5-foot-8, 340-pound nut ordered his victim into a cell and forced the man to strip and be searched, the complaint says. The inmate later filed a complaint, leading to the additional charge of burglary as a sexually motivated felony against Matagrano on July 8. He was previously indicted for burglary, possession of a forged instrument, criminal impersonation and promoting prison contraband stemming from the same stunt at the lower Manhattan jail, also known as the Tombs. New York officials say that for at least a week, former inmate Matthew Matagrano used phony credentials to get into multiple city lockups, including Rikers Island, picturerd, and the Manhattan Detention Center, where he mingled with inmates for hours. He was essentially “pretending to be an investigator from the Intelligence Unit,” the complaint said. The Matagrano incident remains a black eye for the Department of Correction. On the date of his alleged visit to the jail, Matagrano parked in a reserved spot using a bogus placard and flashed a badge. It is unclear where he got the placard or why he was admitted with a fake badge. A gold badge from a group called Civil Advocates of New York was found on Matagrano when he was arrested. It is unclear if Civil Advocates of New York is a legitimate group. The group’s online mission statement says it “strives to be the secure and trusted safe place that our clients can turn to for personalized Advocacy/Training services when are (sic) clients are in their greatest need of a friend.” After he was caught, Matagrano admitted he sneaked into jails — and only had nice things to say about correction workers. “They give me food. They made me feel important,” he said. Matagrano is a sex offender who sodomized a teenage boy in 1996 and has done stints in state prison for that and other felonies, records show. The Department of Correction did not respond to a request for comment. Matagrano is being held without bail. Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/perv-broke-nyc-jail-abused-inmate-cops-article-1.1398570

Costly tobacco: Smoking at home reduces property values says Ontario survey

A recent survey of Ontario real estate agents in Ontario found that smoking in a home could lower the value of your property by up to 30 per cent. The survey was sponsored by Pfizer Canada and besides the obvious damage by staining walls and carpets, it can leave a smell that is very hard to eliminate. I remember having a client close a deal and noticed a smell of smoke when they entered the home on closing. I asked why they didn't notice the smell when they originally toured the home and they said fans were on with electric air fresheners plugged into the walls. That apparently masked the smell that day. It makes sense that a home with a smoky smell or strong odor will be harder to sell as it will deter most buyers. Landlords are permitted to include no smoking clauses in their leases. But they can only evict a tenant who smokes if they can prove the smoking has damaged the unit or is bothering the other tenants. Here’s a case in point. In December, 2006 John Davidson rented a furnished condominium on Scollard St., in Toronto where the lease contained a no-smoking clause. The owner, Chris Cebula, noticed the smell of smoke in the apartment almost immediately, but Davidson refused to stop smoking. The landlord put the condo unit up for sale but his agent said the smell of smoke was hurting his ability to sell it. The landlord submitted estimates to the board to eradicate the smell of smoke from the apartment. Including staining and painting all the walls, replacing and/or upholstering the furniture, box spring and mattress, linens, drapes and carpets the cost amounted to $8,900. The landlord also claimed an extra one month’s damage of $2,052, since it would take one month to do the renovations. In a decision dated February 25, 2008, Landlord and Tenant Board adjudicator Egya Sangmuah found that Davidson’s smoking did damage the unit and awarded full damages to Cebula. The Non-Smoker’s Rights Association published their own study demonstrating that the average costs for a landlord to clean an apartment is two to three times greater when it was occupied by a heavy smoker. They also quote statistics from Canadian Fire Marshals demonstrating that cigarettes, lighters and matches remain one of the top causes of residential fires. Similar statistics are found with resale cars where the prior owner was a heavy smoker and it is difficult to remove the smell from the upholstery. Smoke or pet odours, such as cat urine, can cause headaches when trying to sell a home. There are solutions and companies that can solve these issues. Restoration companies such as Winmar Disaster Restoration, Medallion Healthy Homes of Canada and Biosense Environmental offer solutions that can assist with these problems. The process involved is using concentrated ozone gas to get into all areas of the home, including the walls, to assist in cleaning out the smell, even when the home was occupied previously by heavy smokers. There are, of course, household products such as vinegar that you can use for minor problem odours or an over-the-counter product such as Nature’s Miracle, to remove pet odours. Buyers, be suspicious if you notice the fans going or electric air fresheners whenever visiting a home for the first time. Sellers, don’t try to cover up or hide odour issues that you know about. Get rid of any foul odour before putting your home for sale, to maximize your return. Source: http://www.thestar.com/business/personal_finance/2013/05/19/costly_tobaccosmoking_reduce_property_values_says_ontario_survey.html

Hungary Tobacco Market Reshuffle Roils Public

Hungary’s move to drastically restrict the number of outlets selling tobacco caused an uproar, with critics saying the government has restricted access to information about the way tobacco licenses were distributed. Hungary has made tobacco retailing a state monopoly and granted 20-year concessions to run tobacco shops for a flat fee to individuals selected mostly on the basis of the applicants’ business plan. Exact criteria for judging the business plans haven’t been made public. Critics of the Fidesz-led government’s measure claim the move has reshaped the market in a way that helps the government, which is facing parliamentary elections next year, by favoring Fidesz-friendly individuals and companies. Several of the critics, including some of the opposition parties, have challenged the measure in court.

But criticism also came from within the ruling party. Akos Hadhazy, a Fidesz-party representative in a countryside local council, said the license tender was biased and that the Fidesz representatives of the municipality of south Hungary’s town of Szekszard were told to choose Fidesz party-affiliated winners from among the bidders. Fidesz communication on policy steps has so far been firmly unified. “The Fidesz faction members were present at the meeting and the mayor, also the head of the constituency, said: ‘Here is the list of the applicants’. He asked us to check out who we knew [on this list] and who could be an appropriate applicant. I was surprised. I knew there are lobbies but that this can happen so openly I was surprised to see,” the local Fidesz representative was quoted as saying in an interview by the online version of business weekly hvg.hu.

Mr. Hadhazy wasn’t immediately available to comment. The town’s mayor, Istvan Horvath, said to the same publication that Mr. Hadhazy was lying. The tender, whose winners have been made known in recent days, will put Hungarian-owned small firms and entrepreneurs into a position of being able to make a living from tobacco sales, while tighter control of the market will reduce smoking, the government said. The measure will reduce tobacco sales points to only around 7,000 from the current 40,000. Because tobacco sales were separated as a business from the retailing of other goods and services, the government will also need to raise the price of tobacco to ensure the business remains profitable. The price of a packet of cigarettes will increase by about one third, after Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he’d like to raise the retail margin on tobacco to 12% from the current level of around 4%. Tobacco sales have so far been generating profits for supermarkets, many of which are foreign-owned, grocery stores, and filling stations, most of which are owned by Hungarian oil and gas company MOL MOL.BU +0.09% Nyrt.

The government isn’t planning to annul the tender because it was organized fully in line with the law, Janos Lazar, head of the Prime Minister’s office, said at a press conference Monday. The government is ready to fight the issue in court, he added. Those left in the losing field have formed an association and demanded from the government the publication of the list of all applicants, the names of those on the evaluation panels, and the minutes and notes on the bidding process. The government has said the data related to the tender are not public. Fidesz party’s two parliamentary representatives Monday submitted an amendment to the Information Act, which the Fidesz-dominated parliament approved Tuesday, to restrict “the abusive…demand of information…which could hinder the operation of the data provider greatly and for a prolonged period.” The amendment to the act says state audit offices ensure appropriate oversight over public service entities.

Fidesz MPs in parliament on Tuesday said the two moves–the tender and the modification to the Information Act–were unrelated. But in reaction to the parliament’s approval of the amendment, several civil groups such as K-Monitor, atlatszo.hu, the Civil Liberties Union and Transparency International have announced that they will quit the Anti-Corruption Working Group they had formed together with the government to fight corruption.

Source: http://blogs.wsj.com/emergingeurope/2013/05/02/hungary-tobacco-market-reshuffle-roils-public/

Ukip plans to stop benefit claimants buying tobacco and alcohol

Proposals to be announced at conference also include ban on welfare payments to EU or other foreign citizens living in UK Some long-term benefit claimants would be banned from using their benefit cash to buy cigarettes, alcohol or satellite TV subscriptions under proposals due to be presented at the UK Independence party's spring conference on Saturday. The proposed ban on paying for satellite TV comes only a fortnight after it was disclosed that Rupert Murdoch, the chairman and biggest shareholder of News Corp, had met the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, for the first time, prompting speculation that the Sun may support the party. Ukip's welfare plans also include proposals to stop paying benefits to EU or other foreign citizens living in the UK. Nick Clegg and David Cameron are delivering speeches on immigration either side of the Ukip conference. Ukip's success in the Eastleigh byelection, when it beat the Tories to take second place, prompted all three main parties to re-examine their immigration policies. In his speech on Friday, Clegg signaled he was abandoning the Liberal Democrat 2010 election promise to offer earned amnesty for illegal immigrants who have been in the UK for at least 10 years. He also proposed higher fines for employers taking on illegal immigrants and suggested a repayable immigrant bond. On Monday Cameron will focus on how to reduce EU citizens' access to key benefits, arguing that the generosity of the benefits acts as a draw for EU citizens. He is unable to impose direct border controls because of EU provisions on free movement of labor. The prime minister wants the UK to be seen as one of the toughest states in Europe for new migrants to get access to benefits as part of a drive to reduce the "pull factors" and reassure the public over fears of a surge when restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians working in Britain are lifted in December. Ministers have been told that any measures will have to apply to all newly arrived EU migrants and cannot be imposed solely on those coming from Romania and Bulgaria. The European commission has, however, advised that it is possible under the EU's free movement directive to impose quite radical restrictions on access to benefits and services once migrants have been in Britain for three months. "The right to move and reside freely comes with certain conditions attached which are laid down in the EU's free movement directive from 2004. EU citizens have a right to come and stay for up to three months with a valid passport or identity card. To stay for longer, they need to be in employment or have sufficient resources and sickness insurance not to be a burden on public funds," said a commission source. Ministers are understood to be looking at introducing a compulsory registration certificate or "residence permit" for EU citizens living in Britain for more than three months. The permit would give them access to health and education service and provide proof of their immigration status for claims for welfare benefits. The cabinet sub-committee chaired by the immigration minister, Mark Harper, has been looking at European benefit systems. In Spain, access to unemployment and other benefits is severely restricted for citizens from other EU countries. The proposed ban on buying alcohol, nicotine or satellite TV comes in a Ukip policy paper suggesting long-term claimants should be given an electronic spending card that would be unusable for these products. The electronic card would not apply to all claimants, but instead "those who have an addiction and those who choose a lifestyle on benefits". Janice Atkinson, the report's author, said: "No one would be stigmatized through an electronic spending card as it would be like using a credit card at the cash desk. There is enormous public support for a card that mirrors the principles of Beveridge. We have gone too far in this country by funding the feckless lifestyle." In a wide-ranging speech on immigration, Clegg admitted his party election policy of earned citizenship for illegal immigrants who had been in the UK for 10 years "was seen by many as a reward for breaking the law". Clegg said he had asked the former local government minister Andrew Stunell to review Liberal Democrat immigration policy, but argued the earned citizenship policy "risked undermining public confidence in the immigration system". He added that confidence in the system was an essential building block of cohesion and tolerance. Lib Dem polling has shown the so-called amnesty was one of the party's most unpopular policies and was seen as a major drag in attracting center-ground voters. Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/mar/22/ukip-benefits-claimants-tobacco-alcohol

Tobacco trust fund for farmers hunter program

Columbus County is one of the areas targeted by the joint efforts to increase hunting opportunities and to better manage the deer. Judy Gardener Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), said that the effort combines the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, QDMA, NC Wildlife Federation and other groups to create a Farmers Deer Management Project. Organizations have joined together to obtain a grant from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund to help farmers find another source of income to the loss of tobacco income. $ 150,000 grant will fund the start of the project, the organizers hope, will lead to the creation of new and sustainable income for farmers, hunters offer better opportunities of harvesting, and to help feed the hungry in local communities. "We are excited and grateful for this grant," said Carol Buie-Jackson, NCWF CEO "This is an ideal program, which is positive on many fronts, helping farmers, helping the health of the population as a whole deer, and feeding the hungry." The two-year program that starts in January 2013, aims to help farmers manage the deer population, allowing athletes to hunt on their agricultural land in accordance with their specific plan for the collection of deer. Within two weeks of the fall 2013 season on deer, NCWF will lease the land from row crop farmers, who want to reduce the population of deer on their land, and to recruit athletes to hunt deer on farmland. Deer hunters will collect in accordance with the harvest plan that will reduce crop insurance often damage caused by deer, and increase the supply of proteins needed by local food banks through donations of venison. Participation of farmers will be repeated again hunts in 2014 and will be invited to continue this practice in the future. NC Hunters for the Hungry (HftH) processors will grind meat on NCDA & CS services are certified, the freezing of meat in two packages of pounds, and send it back to the local food banks in need of protein. While hunters hungry is no stranger to local organizations hunting, slow economy caused a drop donations in recent years, the hunters gathered less deer meat stored for their families, or are unwilling to pay a processing fee to have the meat cooked for HftH . "This is a positive opportunity to serve the community and get a local civic-minded groups involved as well. "Implementation of the landing site, transporting deer to the processor, and the financing of (future) cost of processing will promote stability after the two year period of this project," said Judy Gardner. She added that the cost of processing the deer collected and donated will be covered by the program in 2013 and 2014. Deer burger, fries and other abbreviations commonly used food pantries and kitchens, to provide food for the needy. The meat is low in fat, high in protein, and is considered healthier than the mass production of livestock. Some heart specialists and nutritionists recommend consumption of venison for patients with heart disease. "One deer can provide an average of 160 meals," said Guy Gardner, Head Deer Farmers Management program. "Deer are the main culprits in causing an estimated $ 29.4 million in damage to North Carolina crops," said Steven Troxler, North Carolina Department of Agriculture Commissioner in his letter of support for the project. In anticipation of the project's success, William Upchurch, executive director of the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, hopes that the program can serve as a model that can be applied to other crops and other areas that may be experiencing deer overpopulation. Gordon Myers, a North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), understands that the program contributes to the conservation of wildlife resources and provide hunting opportunities, integration of NCWRC, NCDA & CS and hunters for hungry purpose "so as to benefit a wide range of interested parties than when programs run independently. While some farmers already allow limited hunting on their land, the project will help farmers to develop an effective strategy for hunting, according to the FMD project managers. "Deer harvest plans will be developed in collaboration with the guidelines provided by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission," said Guy Gardner QDMA. "Harvest goals will be set to reduce the loss of crops and offer the farmer to use deer hunting as renewable, sustainable source of income." From January to March 2013, the program will recruit peasants. Hunters will be collected using the following summer Hunting NC farmland, a Web service, run by NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Farmers and landowners with active row crop land, who want to register for Managing Deer farmers can contact with Guy and Judy Gardner at 919-250-8441 or 919-608-3386 or e-mail guyandjudy@ncwf.org Meeting at City Hall, is now scheduled for Elizabethtown in the near future. One of the target areas for farmers Deer Management program consists of Columbus, Bladen, Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties.

Lawyers spar in court

It was controversial at the last day to testify for the woman who says she gave it, the prison guard pouches packed with drugs to bring the prisoners in a correctional center of Regina. Laura Reynolds, the sixth day of testimony in a jury trial Brent Taylor, Miles, 50, was littered with legal protest and the decision of Justice Eugene Scheibel on what was and was not appropriate or misleading. When the judge asked Reynolds can be dismissed when issues ended Friday, attorney James Korpan said: "I think it was enough." During cross-examination earlier this week, Reynolds testified that she never discussed with Taylor, the content-filled pouches of drugs he had taken from his home for prisoners Sanford Brass, and Kevin Lee Stonechild. She said she assumed that he knew that the bags are held. In redirecting the Crown prosecutor Doug Curliss, Reynolds told the court about a conversation with Taylor in which he claimed that he was once stopped by police for traffic after checking the house, the officers reportedly called a "drug house." "He (Taylor) said that he did not know whether drugs in packages," Reynolds has shown, adding that he came into the house to pick up the package is about 10 times or more after that. She said she heard about the traffic stop on both Taylor and brass, and the conversation with the accused has been about 2008 or 2009. "It was so long ago now," she added. "He still came and took the bag ... and he does everything right, and while August or September of '09," she said. Allowed a limited re-examination, Korpan said that when Reynolds revealed earlier this week, and asked what she knew to stop the movement came from the brass, she replied: "Yes." She then said that she and Taylor are not talking about drugs in the package - "He never came up." "It was so long ago," Reynolds told the court on Friday. "I know, I had a conversation with him. When they were, I can not tell you," she said, concluding her testimony. Taylor on the court 15 charges arising from investigations into the alleged smuggling of drugs into the prison Regina, where he worked as a guard in 1987. Most of the crimes allegedly occurred between January 1, 2007 and February 27, 2010. Two charges in an attempt to obstruct justice and violation of conditions of release by contacting the witness for the prosecution Reynolds allegedly took place January 5, 2011. Seven women and five men of the jury heard eight days of evidence. "You've worked hard," Scheibel said in a dismissal of the jury a long weekend. On Tuesday, Curliss is expected to call its final witness, a woman who claims she was the first to give a drug-filled bags Taylor tobacco. A court order prohibits identification of women. In the video, played this week, Taylor, when questioned RCMP, which has repeatedly denied drugs in jail, saying that he delivered tobacco brass and Taylor on several occasions. He also denied receiving money for it. The Court considered the tobacco smuggling is also considered a smoking prison.

The city manager, city attorney, was "a little knowledge" cigarette operation

Hampton Police Chief Charles R. Jordan Jr. said City Manager Hampton, and its top lawyer was "very little knowledge" of the secret police sting cigarette business, which has been in operation for 19 months. Jordan said on Monday that the City Manager Mary Bunting and City Attorney Cynthia Hudson did not know the details of the investigation - including the millions of dollars flowing through the account of covert operations - while it was under way. "It has been a long practice, the provision of this organization to limit the impact of these secret operations for persons with 'need to know," said the statement by Jordan, issued by the office of communications on Monday. "Therefore, and in accordance with the policy in the past, Mary Bunting and Cynthia Hudson had very little knowledge about this secretly operation." It was not until someone came to him with a complaint about police misconduct, January 27 - bringing Jordan to shut down the entire operation - that Jordan gave Hudson and oatmeal detailed investigation, he said Tuesday. "They really became involved when I saw the red flag, and I need to work with them, to see how we are going to handle it," said Jordan. "They have become much more aware of when I shut down the operation and there were problems, and I came to him with a" Hey, here's the situation. That's when they got a much more detailed briefing." The police set up a fake company, Blue Tobacco water as part of a secret operation to deal with the people involved in the illegal trafficking of cigarettes and related crimes. The investigation has not produced the arrests, however, for more than one and a half years in operation. But more than $ 3 million flowed through the company's account at Langley Federal Credit Union, according to the records of the city. Most of this money was used to constantly replenish the cigarette supply company. But some of them have been spent on nine new cars and trucks, electronics, and is in the officer training trip to New York, Las Vegas and other cities. City officials did not respond to questions about which, if any, outside the Hampton Police Department knew of the ongoing investigation into the cost of cigarettes or approved of it. At the request of Jordan on Monday, "just knowing" oatmeal and Hudson had surgery before it was discontinued in April, came about in 2011, when he discussed with them how to accept a gift that Hampton Police Department was scheduled to receive from cigarette maker. This was about nine months after the surgery. Jordan said in an interview Tuesday that Bunting and Hudson were involved only for the "limited purpose" of obtaining the necessary permits the City Council to accept the gift. Even then, he said, he did not share many details with them about the cost or anything. "They knew about the decision," said Jordan. "They do not know anything about the operation itself, as we did, as we talk about it every day. They just do not know any details about it." He said, oatmeal and Hudson were "basic knowledge" of the gift - that he had to come with safety hand cigarette manufacturer. "They will be informed of the nature of the work, when we finally shut it down," Jordan said Tuesday. "We had hoped to celebrate makes a lot of arrests and show the link between this type of exploitation and violent crime in the community." Hampton City Council, which approves the budget of the Police Department, has never subscribed to the cost Tobacco blue waters. In addition, they have never said more than $ 700,000 in the bank Blue Water, while Daily Press told them about it in September, eight months after the secret cigarette business was closed. During the sit-down interview two weeks ago, Jordan was vague about anyone outside the Hampton Police Department to control or approved expenditures from the account Tobacco blue waters. When asked whether the city will approve expenditures, he said: "Not necessarily," but did not give a definitive answer, saying that the policy of the city is expected to be met. In the same interview on September 27, Jordan said oatmeal was aware of the secret operation of cigarettes, as it was in motion, "Does she know about the work that we have done the surgery? Jordan said in the same interview that the Hudson, too, has been consulted. "We've had numerous conversations with the lawyer of the city, in particular, on the various aspects of it," he said then. "We have received their advice on how to do certain things ... For me it's a good checks and balances when you know someone as notable as Cynthia Hudson or in the office of her lawyer to comment on some things ... It is very insightful, knowledgeable lawyer, and I'm taking her advice. I respect it. " Later in the day the Daily News reporter asked other city officials to confirm this statement, Hudson told a reporter she would call Jordan to discuss the matter and get back to the daily press. But she never called back. Jordan explained Tuesday that he may think of the Commonwealth Attorney Linda Curtis, with whom he said he had discussed the operation. Or, Jordan said, he could have just thought about conversations with Hudson, associated with the gift of ruling. In turn, Curtis said Daily Press she had no involvement in the secret operation of cigarettes, as it went on, though, she said that she was informed about it in advance.

Tobacco: Some Facts

I agree with much of the editorial on the new rules of smoking , but I can not agree with some points. Editorial justification for the taking of further restrictions on smoking in public places sound, but uses the absurd reduction ad technique to make the law appears unworkable. He claims that 10 million are generally designed to prevent toxic cloud of smoke drifting in the building phalanx smokers gathered at the entrance, it would work only if smokers were forced to carry the tape. One could also say that there should be no alcohol limit for drivers, if all equipped with breathalyzer. It ignores common sense. Most people know that there is a limit to how many drinks they can have if they want to move. In addition, most people know the difference between 10 cm and 10 meters. The law recognizes the essential difference between compliance and blatant disrespect. In addition, some centers have already implemented a rule, setting pointers 10m away from the entrance, saying that there is no smoking at this point. The case for plain packaging is also strong. Its purpose is to protect young people from starting. Studies show that young people "as" the regular updates and to find a simple package "boring." The package as a status symbol is more important for young people than for adults. Plain packaging will also remove the ability of cigarette companies falsely suggest that some brands, such as "light" and "low-tar" are less harmful than regular cigarettes. Arguments that tobacco is a legal or that South African court will come to a different conclusion from those in Australia do not carry any weight. Slavery and apartheid were legal, but that does not make them right. Tobacco can be legal, but it is also deadly, and it should be adjusted depending on the amount of damage it does. The law does not confer immunity from regulation. Finally, there is little doubt; a South African court will uphold the constitutionality of the just-packaging rules. In June, rejecting the call to British American Tobacco SA ban on advertising of tobacco products, the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein ruled: "There can be no doubt that the Government has a responsibility to protect its citizens from the devastating effects of tobacco," and that "a ban on advertising and promotion of tobacco is reasonable and justified. " The Constitutional Court upheld the decision. Both the Australian and South African courts have come to the same conclusion: that the measures proposed for the regulation of tobacco sound, reasonable and based on evidence.

MBC supports tax reform on alcohol, tobacco

Makati Business Club (IBC) welcomes the initiative to reform the excise tax on tobacco and alcohol products, which allow the government to optimize their revenue potential and create a strong barrier to excessive use of tobacco and alcohol. In a statement, MBC announced on Wednesday that they support the restructuring of the excise tax on the multilevel structure of the unitary structure of the excise tax on tobacco and alcohol. This will effectively raise equity through the cigarette and alcohol brands to promote market-based pricing in the industry and encourage the entry of legitimate competition. It also demonstrates its commitment to an open and fair competition and respect under international agreements. MBC also said that he favored the elimination of the classification price freeze so the government has the right to charge a competitive rate of excise duty on tobacco and alcohol products. "The current system undermines the tax base, the cost of the Philippine government a significant amount of lost revenue. To address this loophole, we urge lawmakers to increase the excise tax and the burden of tobacco and alcohol products, taking into account inflation in the year, to adequately reflect the negative externalities of consumption of these products" , a business group added. Furthermore, MBC joins the medical community, expressing concern over the increasing number of smokers among the youth of the country, the majority of preventable deaths and disability from smoking-related diseases, as well as the fact that in the Philippines, the 15th-largest market for tobacco in the world with one of the lowest tobacco taxes. He said that the shortcomings of the tax structure governing tobacco and alcohol products allowed the abuse of their consumption, but failed to curb the growth of new smokers and drinkers, particularly among young people and the poor. MBC also said that a society which bears the burden, as evidenced by the annual increase in economic and productivity losses associated with excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. In response to the concerns of some sectors ", resulting in higher prices for tobacco and alcohol products would stimulate the black market, MBC, and urged the government to further strengthen its campaign against smuggling and trafficking in illicit goods. "We firmly believe that strict compliance with customs laws and regulations, as well as effective fight against corruption in the customs and border controls are still key elements in winning the war against smuggling. Fear does work, but it should not interfere with the proper administration of government stakes excise tax, should not that be an excuse to nurture anti-competitive policies and practices, "the business group said. MBC encourages the Government to use part of the additional revenue from excise taxes for promotional and educational activities about the dangers of smoking and alcohol consumption, and allocate a significant part of his Filipino health programs. In addition, the Business Group encourages the Government to expand its technical and financial assistance to farmers Filipinos.